Choosing frames at Val d'Or, Paris for Rescuing of the Mime by Vanessa Valencia. The frame pictured is not the one I selected for the painting.
Lately, art has been disappearing from my walls, unceremoniously shoved in cupboards or tucked away in corners of closets. All this rearranging has been necessary to make way for er, ahem - a few, shall we say, original paintings by Vanessa Valencia. A small collection really.
It all started with the Strange Beautiful Lady. And then who could resist Pan's Widow, Rescuing of the Mime - and the rest? If you come to Paris, you can visit the Galerie de Vanessa Valencia Art Extraordinaire . Admission is free - but if you try to take a painting home with you, a note of caution: I have a very sensitive alarm system.
You, too can own some of Vanessa's delightful, whimsical art. Visit her etsy shop to check for updates on original work or for canvas prints of her paintings, as well as notecards and pottery.
Even more than art, I like collecting memories. But volumes of those memories are the treasure hunts involved in acquiring physical collections.
I have several collections including photographs, books, American Fiestaware, McCoy pottery, Native American pottery, English ironstone, French Limoges, religious icons, Madonna crowns, French Art Nouveau pieces, English and Belgian Arts & Crafts pieces and antique lace. The list goes on...
I've become an enthusiastic collector only in the last seven-and-a-half years living in Europe, where there are wonderful tempting objets d' art practically everywhere I go. As a journalist, I lived like a nomad for so long, that I lost many possessions in the process. I did manage to keep most of my books and photographs.
A few favourite items also survived the moves, including many of my daughter's toys and books and a small collection of stones. But for the most part, until 1996 in San Francisco, we didn't keep anything that wouldn't fit into a suitcase or box. The nesting instinct kicked in full force in France, where I've stayed in one place for the longest time in my adult life.
And it's not just me. Collecting has become a global phenomenon, with numerous clubs, books, magazines and websites devoted to specific areas of interest. Tell me about what you like to collect. Is it art? Or maybe you prefer coins, stamps or marbles? Perhaps you're into aquiring high-end objects such as classic cars and vintage diamonds? Maybe you like to scoop up seashells, sand dollars and sea glass while taking long walks on the beach? Or perhaps your passion is digging for arrowheads and pottery shards?
Whatever you collect, do you consider your finds an investment, which will appreciate in value or do you collect things simply because you like them? I do both, although usually I end up selling the things I buy as an investment rather quickly. I find if I'm not absolutely thrilled with the item, it just takes up space, as I won't display it - other than to a potential buyer. So out it goes.
I look for quirky objects that speak to me, not things that are necessarily expensive or valuable. A heart-shaped rock can make my heart skip a beat, just as much as finding a rare first edition of T.E. Lawrence's book Seven Pillars of Wisdom. What collections make your heart sing?
Photo of Pan's Widow courtesy of Vanessa Valencia. Read about more phenomenons at Sunday Scribblings.
Lucky artist to have found you as a collector - and lucky you, to have collected so much of her lovely art!
I collect everything from seashells and stones, to Fiestaware, and children's books. As you mentioned here, I've found that the quirky, the whimsical thing, that makes my heart sing, is what is worth keeping around.
The collections of yours, that you've shared with us in photos, are lovely. I'm glad you're now able to enjoy the thrill of nesting and collecting - enjoy! xo
Posted by: tinker | 31 July 2007 at 01:30
Oh don't do this to me. I would have to rent Buckingham Palace if I collected everything I loved. I collect for Ghost Furniture and sell it on so I have my insatiable appetite of collecting turned into a profitable hobby, though sometimes I have to have surgery to remove my favourites.
Posted by: Di Overton | 30 July 2007 at 21:46
What magic in her work .. I can see why you're drawn to it.
Posted by: JanePoe (aka Deborah) | 30 July 2007 at 20:48
What wonderful artwork. I have a few collections: tiny owls from all over the world, Native American art, and my photography of flowers has become a collection. I used to collect angel but ran out of room. I tend to be a clutterer so I try not to limit my buying. My mother's plate collection is in my garage.
Posted by: Jone | 30 July 2007 at 16:14
I am absolutely besotted by Vanessa and her art. I have a copy on canvas of Strange Beautiful Lady - I plan to buy more. She AND her art just jump right in to the heart as well as the funny bone. How wonderful you she has a gallery in your home, I am sure it's a great honor for her!
I have so many interests that I collect bits and pieces that resonate to me. From Mermaids to birds to colored glass to sea shells to art in various forms and on and on. Unfortunately due to my wee house I must be careful (some things have had to be stored for now and it's time I find places to bring them back out again) Having things around us that bring us joy is essential. I could never be a minimalist! ha!
XOXOXO
Posted by: LisaOceandreamer | 30 July 2007 at 06:05
I love looking at collections but I'm not a collector. I'm sending you pics of our sample of Dave's antiquing. :) Big hug!
Posted by: Tammy | 29 July 2007 at 22:52
wonderfull week :o)
Posted by: mauricio | 29 July 2007 at 18:59
Hello!!!!
Wonderfull collage
Posted by: mauricio | 29 July 2007 at 18:58
Tara,
They are lovely paintings and collecting is indeed something that humans do well.
Rose
xo
Posted by: Rose Dewy Knickers | 29 July 2007 at 18:57
Beautiful art here...I am a collector of heart shaped stones. How I adore them! I also love when I find old diaries or letters when I am visiting shops...I once went without food for two days in New Orleans, though, because I had just enough money to either buy food or a painted mask I adored by a prominent local artist. The mask hangs in my entryway and I never regretted that choice once! Hope your summer is going well...
Love,
D.
Posted by: Delia | 29 July 2007 at 18:08
tara, my first reaction was kind of wordless. This is so beautiful. Pictures as well as your words. I will come back to look again.
Posted by: gautami | 29 July 2007 at 16:19
What amazing paintings, especially the second! I'm not really a collector apart from books. I have loads of books, but once I've read them, if I don't want to read them again I get rid of them so a large part of my collection is strictly temporary.
Posted by: Crafty Green Poet | 29 July 2007 at 15:22
i have been a collector all my life. my home starts to become too crowded, too much stuff. so i have been 'deleting' in the past and i'm still doing. only the true valuable items count. lately i have been wondering where my collections would end up once i'm gone...for now sad perspectives! i understand that i need to restrict myself for the future.
Posted by: marita | 29 July 2007 at 11:17
Oh you got this one too!!! Good on you :-)
Thanks for this great post.
Posted by: Chantal | 29 July 2007 at 10:31
Oh what beautiful artwork! As for collecting, it's a habit I'm trying to break but I've got a collection of plants, books, pottery, natural materials, and odds and ends of all sorts. I like "stuff" too much!
Posted by: Deb G | 29 July 2007 at 07:12
We've moved around too much to become true collectors. I suppose the one thing I really do have a collection of is books, but then I buy them for reading, not for collecting. I often swap or give away, so I suppose they don't count.
Posted by: Paul | 29 July 2007 at 06:57
Collecting is one of those things I always dream about doing...in the future. When I'm settled. So I collect vicariously through all of the beautiful things I see online...like this art. Wow!
Posted by: Mardougrrl | 29 July 2007 at 06:34
I must go check out her work again. I think she designed Maryam's new logo! I adore Pan's Widow. I just love the clean mystical lines in her work. Thank you for the introduction Tara. I would love to visit you in Paris and have you show me around your gorgeous home one day!
xo
Blue
Posted by: Blue | 29 July 2007 at 04:04
I can see why you are drawn to her work, it's so pretty. As for me, I used to dream of collecting Lladro figurines, but alas, I do not have the money to buy them nor the space to keep them :(
Posted by: bonggamom | 29 July 2007 at 02:52
I was just telling someone the other day that I like to collect perfect little moments.
I love to plan out perfect evenings and outings and gifts and things.
Thanks for sharing.
Frances
http://blogforth.com/2007/07/29/sunday-scribblings-july-29th/
Posted by: Frances | 29 July 2007 at 02:35
First, a wonderful post- what an amzing artist!
Secondly, we collected a lot of textiles like old Amish quilts and then handicrafts from all the places int he world we have visited. We collect because we like stuff basically! My dad had the collector bug as well- I think that's where I got bit!
Posted by: Regina Clare Jane | 28 July 2007 at 23:55
there was a time when i went about collecting antiques.. interesting enough,, and a time filler it was... but as of late,, i am settled,, and i feel the desire for even more stuff... just doesn't overwhelm me like it used to...
all in all i think that means that leaves all the more collectibles out there for those of you that are still enjoying the art of collecting... excellent post....
Posted by: paisley | 28 July 2007 at 21:43
Tara besides collecting ~Cats~ one cannot just have one..I suppose I collect anything that as you say ~speaks to me~ shoes are a fine collectable..garden ornaments in rusted metal..oh the list goes on and the piles get higher and one of these days I will have to edit.
Love your choice in art work posted! Thank you for your words of comfort regarding my recent loss. Hugs NG
Posted by: naturegirl | 28 July 2007 at 20:55
Blessings and happy Saturday.
Everything is beautiful as always.
Love Jeanne ^j^
Posted by: Jeanne | 28 July 2007 at 19:31
As we have discussed, I have a huge collection of Fiestaware. We started collecting about the same time and I add 2 place settings of each color. Four if the color is a purple. I have 38 place settings now. I love throwing large, informal parties and using my Fiestaware—I never buy paper. (I promise, I'm bringing you an egg plate! Every Southern girl needs one—along with my recipe for Cajun deviled eggs.)
As an artist, I have saved so much STUFF. We hold onto everything and think “I can make something out of this.”
I have tons of magazines, very organized, for reference. (I have done a lot of publication design.)
Now that I am preparing to move to London from Atlanta, I am distributing the odd family furnishings among my siblings and getting rid of tons of other stuff. Paper and some art supplies are going to friends who teach in under-funded public schools (aren't they all?)
I hope I can find a place in London that is large enough for my doggie, my books, me and my Fiestaware. And a few other odd things like spools from the cotton mill in my home town...and a chair...and a Thermos...do I sound like "The Jerk" yet?
Posted by: Michelle | 28 July 2007 at 19:21
I am such a collector as well. I think that is why you and I a drawn to eachother. We both love interesting wonderful things... Collecting is fulfilling and magical.... But, well, my collecting is at a bit of a stand still, as I have acquired a bit toooo much.... I adore that you own those pieces! xoxooxox
Posted by: A Fanciful Twist | 28 July 2007 at 17:55
Bon Jour! for some reason ,I wasn't able to get your site to appear! ..All is well now! ha! I love Vanessa's work! A lot of us Bloggerville gals are acquiring her art! I like it because it is so different from anything else..and it has a magical, mysterious quality! When I get to Paris, i will come visit the Gallery..by then your house will be FILLRD with it!
Posted by: Pam Aries | 28 July 2007 at 16:10
Tara,
I too am an addictive collector of things as well as of friends and acguaintances.
First and foremost however would have to be the collecting of books. Up until I inherited my father's library,I'd done pretty well at keeping up with reading all and any new acquisitions, but since then, Glory-be-to-God, I'll never catch up.
In addition I collect stamps, postcards, hats and caps, curios, magazines, (although I did recently rid myself of hundreds of pounds of old mags.), and years.
I also collect words, and I learned a new one today; fossick.
I'm seriously considering changing my moniker from Remiman to Fossick, even though it's a verb. Perhaps Monsieur Fossicker.
Life in all it's glory is a phenomenom and when we meet in September, that will be a very tangible phenom!
rel
Posted by: rel | 28 July 2007 at 15:33